title: Depolymerization-powered autonomous motors using biocompatible fuel.
abstract: We report the design of autonomous motors powered by the rapid depolymerization reaction of poly(2-ethyl cyanoacrylate) (PECA), an FDA-approved polymer. Motors were fabricated in two different length scales, 3 cm and 300 μm. The motion of the motors is induced by self-generated surface tension gradients along their bodies. The motors are capable of moving in various media, including salt solutions and artificial serum.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University , University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States.
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Wentao
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Duan
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Ayusman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sen
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D003487:Cyanoacrylates / Q000737:chemistry*; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D015394:Molecular Structure; D058105:Polymerization; D013500:Surface Tension
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003487:Cyanoacrylates; C029054:ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate